Paper-trimming machine.



W. H. SMITH.

PAPER .TRIMMING MACHINE. APPLIUATION FILED APR.1,1909.

Patented Nov. 1, 1910.

6 SHEETS-SHEET l.

um I Witnesses W. H. SMITH.

PAPER TRIMMING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED APR.1,190 9.

974:, 198. Patented Nov. 1, 1910.

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PAPER TRIMMING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED APR.1,1909.

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Patented Nov. 1, 1910.

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W. H. SMITH.

PAPER TRIMMING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED APBHI, 1909.

Patented Nov. 1,1910.

6 SHEETSSHEET 4.

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Patented Nov. 1,1910;

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PAPER TRIMMING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED APR.1,1909.

974, 1 98. Patented Nov. 1, 1910.

' 6 SHEETS-SHEET 6.

Q/Vitumwo v i k.) V i (lttozmug UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WALTER E. SMITH, OF NILES, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE HARRIS AUTOMATIC PRESS COMPANY, OF NILES, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF,OHIO.

PAPER-TRIMMING MACHINE.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, \VALTER H. SMITH, of

Niles, in the countyof Trumbull and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Paper-Trimming Machines; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and, exact description of the invention, such as/will enable others sk'lled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same. I

The primary object of this invention is to trim the edgesof sheets of paper, or other stock, while being fed to a printmg, numbering or other paper-handling machine.

According to my present invention, each piece of stock is pos'tively gripped and then transferred from its initial position to the point of feeding to a paper handling machine, and while being so transferred it is trimmed along one edge oron two opposite edges. The stock is gripped a short distance inwardly from the edge or edges so that while being trimmed it will be firmly held from slipping. As the sheet so trimmed is fed, to a printing or other machine, from the point to which it was transferred, it is aga'n positively gripped and trimmed along one or both of .its remaining edges. In this 'way provision is made for trimming on square lines all or some of the edges of each piece of stock. Preferably, for various reasons-notably for increasing the output-I feed the stock alternately from two different points transversely to its line of feed to the machine. This allows greater time for each operator to properly poisition the stock to a predetermined register, If

The invention willlj reinafter fully set forth and particularly pornted out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation, partly in sectlon, showing my present improvements applied to a printing and numbering machine. Fig. 2 is a plan view. Fig. 3 is a front end View, with parts broken away. Fig. 4 is a side view of the sheet conveyer. Fig. 5 is an enlarged view of the trimming cylinder, partly in section on line 55, Fig. 2. looking in the direction of the arrow. Fig. 6 is a plan view of such cylinder. Fig. 7 shows the. gripper-operating mechanism. Fig. 8 shows one of the trimming cylinder cutting disks.

Specification of Letters Patent.

. or edges.

Patented Nov. 1, 1910.

1909. Serial No. 487,257.

1 Fig. 9 is a sectional elevation and Fig. 10 a plan view showing means for trimming oppositeedges of the stock in the initial transfer thereof.

Referring to the drawings, 1 designates a feed-table whereon the stock may be positioned at opposite ends, the feeding being point in line with the passage into the machine. An suitable means'may be employed for trans erring the stock over the feed table, provided it be capable of positively gripping the same in proximity to its edge 'I referably use a reciprocating conveyer l o the type contemplated by my application for Letters Patent Serial No. 472,085, filed January 13, 1909. I have shown the conveyer as having paper gripping devices 2 to engage the stock such device being composed of opposite members located, respectively, above and below the table in line with longitudinal slots 3 in' the latter, such conveyer being actuated by any su table means, such asa pinion 3 carried by a shifter 3 and engaging a rack 3. The grippers are arranged to release their hold a second sheet.

According to my present invention, when stock is being transferred from its original position it is pos tively gripped near its opposite edges and trimmed on one'or both edges. For most purposes it is sufficient if the stock, in its initial transfer, is trimmed on only one edge, namely the forward one, so-called because it is the first-to enter the machine. But in some instances it is desirable to also trim the rear edge simultaneously with the trimming of the forward edge. Hence my invention contemplates the trimming of either one or two edges of each piece of stock in the initial transfer thereof. I shall, however, first describe my invention in connection with means for trimming only the forward edge of each piece of stock in its initial transfer, and later on show how the opposite or rear edge may also be trimmed.

The particular means for trimming the stock in its initial transfer may be varied widely, but it is preferably composed of cooperating trimmers, one member bein above and the other below the line of trave on a transferred sheet before taking hold of alternately from two points to a common of the stock, and both acting in conjunction with means for positively gripping the stock close to the line of out. have shown each upper member as com )osed of a thin hard metal disk 4 and a roll 5 against which the cam 36 by a sprmg 37, said cam being sccured to the press frame; By the cam and spring the lever is rockedat predetermined points to close and open the grippers. Upon the ends of this cylinder are hardened metal disk is held by a nut 6. The roll is ground to an exact diameter so as to grip'the stock securely between itself and the roll of the lower coiiperating trimmer 7, thereby insuring against crowding during the cutting operation. A air of these trimmers is located at each side of the machine since provision is made for alternately feeding from opposite ends of the feed table. The upper trimmer member of each pair is mounted on a shaft 8 which is carried by a bracket 9 pivoted on a stud 10 to allow the bracket to be raised to replace the disk. This bracket .is yieldingly held in its normal position by a plate spring 12 which imparts sufficient tension to insure the proper hold of the feed rolls on the stock. On shaft 8 is a gear wheel 13 which meshes with a gear wheel 14 on shaft 15 of feed roll 7. The shaft 15 also has a gear16 which meshes with a gear 17 of a shaft 18 upon which is a second gear 19 which is driven by the gear 20 of a sleeve by a rack 23 of the reciprocating stock transposition at the center of the feed table.

24 desi compose of three sections, but it may be This sleeve is mounted on a shaft 21 and has a second gear 22 which is driven driven by rollers mounted on a shaft 47 sheet Wlll be trimmed as the stoc is fed to 1 ates a cylinder which is shown as 5 made in any desired ,number of parts,

These sections are mounted on a shaft 25 and held by suitable screws and keys, and by loosening the screws the sections may. be adjusted longitudinally of the shaft as conditions may require, but it is only necessary to move the end sections. This cylinder carries grippers 26 which may be of any known orm and operated by any known means, it being essential, however, that they positively take hold of the forward trimmed edge of the sheet when it occupies the central position shown in Fig. 2, and at a predetermined point release such sheet. I have shown the grippers as mounted on a shaft 27 the length of which is short of that of the cylinder so that its ends will not extend beyond the end-sections of the latter. This shaft carries a gear pinion 28 which meshes with a second pinion 29 on a short shaft 30. mounted in and projecting beyond one of the end sections and'carrying on its outer end a gear pinion 31. Wlth pinion 31 meshes a segmental-rack 32 carried by a lever 33 fulcrumed on a stud 34 projecting from the cylinder, and having a roll 35 disks 39 which form lower cutters. They are held on reduced portions of the end sections of the cylinder by circularnuts 40. In each disk a segment is omitted to allow of its being passed over the central shaft 25. These disks may be of substantial cross section because the gripper shaft does not project beyond the ends of the cylinder. These disks aid in trimming the opposite edges of a sheet as it travels with the cylinder, and by adjusting the cylinder sections the width of the trim may be varied.

The trimmers for cotiperating with cutting disks 39 are indicated at 41 and are shown as mounted on a shaft 42 extending trans- "ersely of the machine and to which they are adjustably secured, such shaft being rotated by means of gearing 43 at one side of the machine so that trimmers 41 will travel at. the same rate as the stock. These upper trimmers 41 are similar tothe upper front trimmers, and the disks thereof cotiperate with the two disks 39.

For pressing out any creases in the sheet and holding it securely against the face of the cylinder, and transferring it therefrom, I provide an upper series of tapes 45 and a lower series of tapes 46. a The tapes 45 are press, which cylinder is indicated at 49. A.

tightener pulley 50 is provided" forfeach of the tapes 45. Each tightener pulley'is carried by an arm 51 pivoted at one end to a bracket 52, which brackets are fastened on a tie-rod 53. The pulleys 50 are held against the undersides of tapes 45 by springs 54 secured to upper extensions of brackets 52, thus insuring uniform tension on the tapes. idler pulleys 55 carried by the free ends of brackets 52, and after bearing firmly against the periphery of the cylinder, throughout a short segment thereof, are passed against idlers 56 mounted on a shaft 57 supported at its ends by arms 58 secured to tie-rod 53. After a sheet on the cylinder has passed beneath the u per tapes 45 the grippers are opened to release the sheet as the friction of the tapes is suflicient to insure the travel of the sheet and the removal of all wrinkles. The lower tapes 46 are passed around pulleys 59 and 60 and all slack is taken up by idler pulleys 61. The sheet is removed from the cylinder by stripping fingers 62 which extend into peripheral grooves 63 of such cylinder.

In practice the trimming cylinder is so The latter are also passed around L tending shafts 21 and (hi heating at 71 the positioned relatively to the fixed cam 36 as to effect the gripping of the forward edge 1 of each sheet. which edge is trimmed astlie stock is being fed to position to be taken up by the grippers preliminarily to the trimfoi positively gripping and transferring sheets of paper-or .other stock from one 111111;: of the side edges thereof. The. trimmings from the. various edges may be conducted away by any suitable means, not shown. As before stated, stock may be fed from either or both ends of the feed table. By double. feeding a great saving of time is effected. and additional opportunit is allowed for each operator to properly posibeing firmly gripped can by no possibility slip or otherwise more outof position while the cutters are acting thereon.

I claim as my invention 2- 1. A trimming machine comprising means point to another, means for trimming an edge of each sheet while it is held by the gripping means and while being so transferred, means for positively holding and retransferrin such stock and means for trinimin a second ed e of each sheet while it is tion the stock to gage. As the stock-travels f over the feed table it is firmly and positively held by the grippers which engage it above and below. The rolls of the front tiiiiiinei's move at the face speed of the stock, and cooperate in holding the latter to insure the even trim of the front edge. The transferrer releases its hold on the stock as the latter is positioned in front of the trimming cylinder.

' positively holdnw \Vhen it is taken up by the grippeis and being so re-ti'ansferred.

:2. A trimming machine comprising means for positively gripping sheets of paper or other stock and transferring the same from one point; to another, such means engaging such sheets in proximity to the edges thereof, means for trimming an edge of each caiisedto travel with the cylinderit is again positively gripped, and the opposite longitudinal edges are trimmed by the cooperative If desired one action of the cutters 39 and 41. side edge trimmer may be omitted. After the grippers are opened to release the sheet it is frictionally held by tapes 45, and as it is stripped from the cylinder it is conveyed at face speed by the upper and lower series of tapes. Stock thus trimmed on its forward and sidegedges may be fed to a printing press, a numbering machine, or both, or to any paper handling mechanism. In the present instance, I have indicated an impression cylinder G-Lconnnon to both the plate'carrymg cylinder 49. and a numbering cylinder 65.

Slioulditbe desired to trim two edges in the initial transfer of the stock it is only necessary toduplicate the trimmers and insure uniformity in travel of bothsets; Thus in Figs. 9 and 10 I have shown duplicate trimmers at located adjacentto the outer edge of the feed-table in direct line with the inner trimmers. \Vliile these outer trimmers may be operated byany suitable means, yet I prefer that power be communicated by exactuating-gearing of the orward trimmers. The advantages of my invention will be apparent to those skilled'in the art. It will sition relative to the machine remains unaltered. In consequence, by properly positioning each sheet in the first instance absolute accuracy of trim is insured. The stock sheet- Wliile it is held by the gripping means and while being so transferred, means for and retransferring such stock, and means for trimming a second edge of each sheet while it is being so retransferred.

3. A trimming machine comprising means for positively gripping sheets of paper or other stock near opposite edges thereof and transferring such stock from one point to another, means for trimming said edges of each sheet of stock while being so transferred, means for positively holding and retransferring such stock, and means for trimining a second edge while the stock is being so retransferred.

4. A trimming machine comprising a feed table, means for successively engaging separate pieces of stock from above and below and transferring the same from one point to another, means for trimming an edge of each sheet while it; is being so t ansferred, means for positively holdin each sheet, and means for trimming a second edge of each sheet while it is being so retransferred.

5. A trimming machine comprising a feed table, means for positively gripping separate pieces of stock from above and below and transferring the same from one point to another, means for trimming anv edge "of each sheet while it is held by the gripping means and while being so transferred, means for positively holding and retransferring such stock, and means for trimming a second edge of each sheet while it is being so retransferred.

6. A trimming machine comprising a feed table, means for positively gripping separate pieces of stock from above and below near opposite edges thereof and transferring such stock from one point'to another, means for trimming such opposite edges of each sheet While it is bein gso transferred, means for positively holding and retransferring such stock, and means for trimming a second edge of each sheet while it is being so retransferred.

, retransferring such stock, and means for trimming a second ed e of each sheet while it is being so retrans erred.

8. A trimming machine comprising a feed table for supporting separate pieces of stock at a plurality of points, means for positively gripping each piece of stock from above and below and transferring the same to a common point, means for trimming an edge of 'each sheet while it is held by the gripping means and while being so transferred, means for positively holding and retransferring such stock, and means for trimming a second edge of each sheet while it is being so retransfererd.

9. A trimming machine comprising a feed table for supporting. separate pieces of stock at a plurality of pomts, means for positively gripping each plece of stock from aboveand below and adjacent to opposite edges thereof and transferring the stock to a common point, means for trimming opposite edges of each sheet while it isbeing so transferred, means for positively holding and retransferring such stock, and means for trimming a second edge of each sheet while it is being so retransferred.

10. A trimming machine comprising a feed table having a slot therein, grippers in line with said slot for' engagin separate pieces of. stock from aboveand %elow and transferring the same from one point to another, means for trimming each sheet while it is held by the grip ers and while being so transferred, means f or positively holding and retransferring such stock, and means for trimming asecond edge of each sheet while it is being so retransferred.

11. A trimming machine comprising a. feed table having parallel slots, up er and lower grippers in line with said s ots for positively engagin-g separate pieces of stock from above an below and adjacent to 0 posite edges thereof, and transferring t e same from one point to another, means for trimming said opposite edges of each sheet while being so transferred, means for retransferring such stock, and means for trimming each sheet while it is being so retransferred. I

12. In a paper trimming machine, a cylinder com osed of a central section and end sections a justable relatively to the central section, cutting disks carriedby said end sections, grippers, a shaft therefor mounted in said sections but not extending through the ends thereof, and means for actuating said shaft.

-13. In a paper trimming machine, a cylinder composed of a central section and end sections adjustable relatively to the central section, cutting disks carried by said end sections, grippers, a shaft therefor mounted in said sections but not extending through the ends thereof, a second shaft geared to the gri per shaft and projecting beyond one end of the cylinder, and means intermittently operated for actuatingsaid gripper shaft.

14. In a paper trimmin machine, acylinder composed of a centra section and end sections a justable relatively to the central section, cutting disks carried by said end sections, grippers, a shaft therefor mounted in said sections but not extending through the ends thereof, a second shaft geared to the gripper shaft and projecting beyond one'end of the cylinder, a gear on the outer end of said second shaft, a lever having a toothed segment for engaging said gear, and means for rocking said lever to cause said segment to engage said gear.

15. In combination with a cylinder haying grippers, means for operating the latter,

means for cutting opposite edges of sheets.

of paper or other stock carried by said cylinder, endless tapes bearing against said cylinder to hold each sheet after being released by said ggiplpers, and a second set of.

endless tapes, sets of tapes being actuated at the face speed of the cylinder to convey the stock therefrom.

In testimony whereof, I have signed this specification in the presence of two sub-. scribing witnesses.

' WALTER H. SMITH. Witnesses:

FRANCIS S. MAGUIRE, JOHN A. MURPHY. 

